Carriage-curtain fastener



(No Model.) MGK. 8; B

CARRIAGE CURTAIN FASTENBR.

No. 462,737. Patented Nov. 10,1891.

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NITE STATES ATENT OFFICE.

MILTON MoKEE BITCH ANT) BERRYBRYANT, OF LAURlNBUR-G, NORTH CAROLINA.

, CARRIAGE-CURTAIN FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 462,737, dated November 10, 1891.

Application filed July 28, 1891. Serial No. 400,938. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MILTON MCKEE BITCH and BERRY BRYANT, citizens of the United States, residing at Laurinburg, in the county of Richmond and State of North Oarolina,have;

invented a new and useful Carriage-Curtain Fastener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to carriage-curtains, and more especially to the fastenings therefor; and the object of the same is to produce an improved fastener and tightener for this purpose.

To this end the invention consists in the details of construction hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as illustrated on the sheet of drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a buggy-top with our improved fastener applied to the curtains thereof. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of one of the fastening-plates, showing the screw and washer in detail. Fig. 3 is a crosssection through a portion of the frame-work of the carriage-top and through the curtain, showing a fastening-plate in side elevation. Fig. 4 is a central vertical section through the center of the plate, the screw, and the washer.

Referring to the said drawings, the letter C designates a portion of the curtain of a buggytop, which curtain is secured on the frame F of said top by the means described below.

P is a plate secured, as by rivets, upon the outer face of the curtain C, and this plate has a vertical slot V in its body, with outwardlyprojecting teeth T at the sides thereof. This plate is located on the curtain at such point that the outer end of the slot, or that end near the end of the curtain, stands primarily over the frame F of the top to which the curtain is to be attached; but as the latter stretches the point of attachment will travel farther and farther toward the inner end of the slot if the curtain is to be always tight, and this adjustment of the fastening devices is permissible with the construction which we employ.

. A The letter S designates a screw having an \V is a washer adapted to fit on the screw and having a plane upper face, against which said head bears. The lower face is provided with two lugs L, which loosely engage the slot V and prevent the rotation of the washer, and midway between these lugs the said lower face is also provided with two teeth T, shorter than said lugs and adapted to firmly engage those on the plate P when the screw is tightened.

In use the plate is secured to the curtain near the free edge of the latter, the curtain being of course slotted to correspond with the slot in the plate. The washer is then applied with its lugs in the slot and the screw passed through said washer, plate, and curtain and tightened in the opening in the frame. The position of these screws will be near the lower ends of the slots when the curtains are new, as seen at the left of Fig. 1; but as the curtains grow old and stretch under the vary ing conditions of temperature, inclement weather, and rough handling to which they are subjected, the screws must be tightened farther and farther up the slots, so as to draw the curtains downward and keep them tight.

Although we have not shown it, it will be understood that this improved tightener can be used in connection with any fastening means for the other end of the curtain.

The device is located wherever necessary, quite a number of them being used on the curtains of a complete carriage-top.

Vhat is claimed as new is- 1. In a carriage-curtain fastener, the combination, with a plate secured to the curtain and having a slot in its body, and teeth on said plate at the sides of its slot, of a headed screw passing through the slot and connecting with the frame of the buggy-top, and a washer on the screw beneath its head, having teeth engaging those on the plate, and a lug engaging its slot, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a carriage-curtain fastener, the combination, with a plate secured to the curtain and having a slot in its body, and outwardlyprojecting teeth on said plate at the sides of its slot, of a headed screw passing through the slot and into the frame of the buggy-top, a washer on the screw beneath its head, having aplane upper face bearing against said head, diametrically opposite lugs projecting inwardly from said washer and loosely engaging as our own We have hereto atfixed our signasaid slot, and. diametrically opposite teeth on tures in presence of two Witnesses. the same face of the washer as are the lugs, but MILTON MCKEE BITCH.

BERRY BRYANT.

Witnesses: for the purpose hereinbefore set forth. L. A. MONROE,

In testimony that We claim the foregoing C. B. CoPPs.

midway between them and shorter in length, 5 said teeth engaging those on the plate, as and 

